The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 90

DES MOINES SUNDAY REGISTER APRIL IV. Il 4II 'Alligator': a daffy fright flick Well, Ramone isn't always a convincing movie monster when he's confined to the sewers, but once he begins to prowl through the city he's in his element, bursting up through the sidewalk, playing hide-and-seek in dark alleys, and crashing a high-society lawn party. It's like the film editor replied to the director of "Them!" a terrific 1954 film about mutant ants when the director asked, "Does it look honest?" "As honest as 12-foot ants can look," the editor replied. "Return of the Secaucus Seven," as a matter of fact, collected reams of glowing notices from discerning film reviewers, and appeared on numerous critics' lists of the best films of 1980. "Alligator" is the kind of film Sayles writes to finance projects like "Secaucus Seven." (So is "The Howling," a 1981 release about werewolves that has many critics baying in approval over Sayles' screenplay, just as they did for his screenplay for the 1978 thriller But Sayles doesn't just slough off when he writes these low-budget ByTIMSACCO A bright, self-assured heroine (Robin Riker).

A spineless mayor (Jack Carter) and play-by-the-rules chief of police (Michael Gazzo). A corrupt representative of Big Business (Dean Jagger). Director Lewis Teague keeps the action moving right along, but the person who really gives "Alligator" its bite is screenwriter John Sayles who has created sortie charmingly off-beat characters and who writes wonderful dialogue. Filmgoers who were lucky enough to see "Return of the Secaucus already know how adroitly Sayles outlines characters and then colors them in with dialogue: He wrote, directed, edited and made a cameo appearance in "Secaucus Seven," which easily was one of the best films of 1980. any carper or complainer who might want to tear into "Alligator" with sharpened critical incisor just because the film looks cheap and occasionally plays silly.

It's too bad, really, because "Alligator" never tries to disguise the fact that it is a bargain-basement "Jaws," and its lack of pretense makes it all the more enjoyable as a somewhat daffy fright flick. Unfortunately, if you live in Des Moines, and you blinked, you already have missed this film.) The makers of "Alligator" also were shrewd enough to know that certain elements must be present and accounted for in a monster movie made in the 1980s. Those elements all are covered in "Alligator," which features: A pleasantly scruffy and unconventional hero (Robert Forster). vacations that get disposed of down toilets grow to monstrous proportions in the dark, dank recesses of city sewer systems, where they wait to chomp on anyone foolish enough to enter. It was inevitable that such a juicy and primal bit of folklore eventually would be processed into a slick horror film.

Thus we have "Alligator," the story of a pet baby reptile named Ramone that gets flushed down a toilet into a big-city sewer system, where in the subsequent 12 years he grows to the size of an Eldorado (an Eldorado plus tail) and develops the most voracious appetite seen in films since the man-eating plants that wailed "Feed me, feed me" in "The Little Shop of Horrors." But although Ramone is 36 feet long and ferocious, he's no match for ALLIGATOR Blue Dolphin Beach HI OZARKS LAKI OF lH thrillers. He infuses his screenplays with an engagingly quirky point of view, and elevates the films several notches above the majority to be found in the horror movie genre. So Sayles is the star of the show behind the camera; but what of the star of the show on screen? To the residents of many large cities New Yorkers, especially the most enduring and endearing urban myth is the one about alligators. Supposedly all of the baby pet gators acquired during Miami Modern lakeside cottages, dl with beautiful view. Carpeted, air cond.

4 TV. Safe sondy beach, covered dock roc room, family type mart. Owrxrli Marty and Betty Emit. Writ for brothwe It. Ux 1 170 Comderrton, Mo.

630W. Ph. (314)1734390 ioimeoans I $10 COUPON Amtrak CL)P SAVE- $10 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI C0UMH HENRY VIII HAKE EARim ''ACCOMMODATIONS for all budgets INN AND LODGE AWARDED AAA NEAR AIRPORT Boating Fishing Golf Attractions Restaurants FEW HOURS DRIVE FROM "DES MOINES 300 Miles" "INDICATE DATES OF VACATION 1180 E. ROOSEVELT EXT.

DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001. 319-556-2987 NUMBER IN COLORADO CAPER Weekly Departures June 28-Aug. 16 Amtrak Deluxe Superliner Denver, Rio Grande Western Railroad JuneS mt ta St. Aim's it Oiebec 9 days $325 Juno 19 Windsor, Ontario, Niagara Falls, LyALUABLE-CQOgogllllllllllin "I 11 I'll I Ml' I'll I I. Aug.

4 N.Y. I D.C. 10 days $490 Friday or Present this coupon for a $10.00 discount off the regular room rate Saturday or Sunday nite only. FREE WARNER in ROOM MOVIES Rocky Mountain National Park Ettes Double $44" 1 Bed $34.00 with coupon Double: '48" 2 Beds $38.00 with coupon CENTRAL 610 WASHINGTON KANSAS CITY M0 64105 cull ion fuee mmim 0 Clll DffifCT 8I6I iaoo (Not valid in ultra-suite) Park Boulder Winter Pork Vail Atpen from Osceola, IA $499 incl. meals from Omaha, $480 incl.

meals TRAVEL HEADQUARTERS, INC. Owatonna, Minn. Toll Free 1-800-533-0363 Children in $48 room with parents free. For reservations call toll-free 800-392-1660 in MO. 800-325-1588 out-state.

July 6 Mackiaac bind 5 days $310 July 17 California Circle Twr 17 days $810 July JO Discover Missoari 5 days $245 Aug. 8 Atlantic City Eastern Gamblers Tour, 8 days $449 Aug. 17 Black Hills and Badlands 5 days $210 Sept. 4 Florida, 10 days $380 Sopt.7 OzarksBranson Tow 4 days $215 Sept. 12 Tennessee Smokey Mt.

Tonr 7 days $245 WE HAVE 700 HOTEL ROOMS JUST WAITING FOR YOU! Good any day busines or. pleasure trip (maximum 4 people per room) You must present coupon at check-in. Rate not applicable to convention or meeting groups. 4690 North Lindbergh one block north of 1-70 Invalid unlet presented at check-in time. DOWNTOWN (Formerly SHEflATON-DOWNlOWNI 6TH 4 MAIN KANSAS CITV.

M0 641(15 CALL TOLL Ml legOHM-itM OH CAE! DIRECT I SOW $10 COUPON $10 COUPON HOTEL CONTINENTAL Hill BALIIMOHf: Classified Want Ads MiOffer expires October 1, 1981m" Sept. 18 New England Fail Foliate. mm urrtn CAntits JUNt ju iuhi Buying or selling work for you! M0 WNft A Oct. 2 10 days $494 Sept. 21 Canadian, H.L NX Scenic igiiiiiiMyiinMiJ Want Ads will help you save money.

AOtt.S Tear. 14 davs SfidQ Get rid of your coat. Advertise in classification 520, Pets and Animals. Classifieds pay off! C0ND0 FOR RENT MAUI, HAWAII How suite it is. A weekend at The Raphael.

5 V'Weckeud Suite" reservations must be made in advance, unci arc subject to uvuilubijity. Prepayment in full is required. Three daystwo nights: 65.00 per person based on double oectipuncy, plus applicable tax und gratuities. Special children's rates are available upon request. Plan to begin your weekend on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Be sure to call early; packages arc limited and must be specified at time of reservation. Off er expires Dec. 31, 1981. WALLEYE, BASS PANFISH 23 ml. No.

of Wlllmer, Minn. Modern housekeeping cabins. Tennis, safe sandy beach. Call or write for brochure: Holiday Resort, Box 30, New London, Minn. 56246.

PH. 612-354-4110. Ruttger's the Right Choice Vacation Packages 2,3,447 days Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge has its own riding horses, golf course, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and planned children's activities. Fabulous food is served from Ruttaer's bakery and kitchen in the spacious dining room with a pano- licclt ill to our "Weekend Suite" Three days, two nights in bcmilifiil suite, ut price most hotels charge for an ordinary room. Ivaeh suite features a parlor with hc adjacent IC(1iooiii.

Iuicli has a king-size or two iieen-size beds, a refrigerator, color TV and AMI'M radio. In addition, each couple receives: A 15 Raphael Restaurant gift certificate Continental breakfasts for wo each morning A special gift on uiTivul free Locutecl on the world-famous Country Club The Raphael is convenient to the best Kansas City has to oiler. You can stroll to elegant shops and restaurants, und you are only minutes from downtown, Worlds of Fan. Starlight Theuter, and major lenguc sports entertainment. (let a lot ol'luxuriotis living.

He our guest some weekend soon. view or oeautirui Day Lake, tast ot Brainerd 18 miles, a few hours driving time from your home. Call or write II ram 6 Just for free full color brochure. KAVANAUCUIS Mux H.K. Retort Golf Fishing Tennlt Excellent Beech In the popular GUI lake Pin Beach area 218-829-5226 Rt.

1 1, Broiiwrd, MN 56401 TELEPHONE -(218)678-2885 Ruttger's Box Iff, DEERWOOD, MN. 56444 ill 1 1 Complete Vacation Kansas City's Elegant "Little" Hotel On the Country Club Plaza Kansas City, Missouri 64112 For reservations call toll free (800)821-5343, ill ar sf Packages or Ill I a "TV'' Lodging-only BEAVER DAM RESORT Gtrman and Jftraon Uk. 20 strictly modtm houMkMping cottages and 2 moM unit. Madam bunKhousu, with six bedrooms. Good beach.

Boats, motors, bait, canoa. paddleboats, pontoons. Far mora information writs: Edward and Sandte Blsek, Rt. I. Box 202, Cleveland.

MN 5601 7 Ph. 507931-5650. III fcn' 1 ir.I Plan or in Missouri call (800) 892-5800 a Golf courses. ill r-i tv. i 2- 18 s.

Social 9 6 tennis courts Marinas 3 sandy beaches Pools saunas PAMPERED IN PINK WEEKEND PACKAGE (fTts 3 dining rooms, X3J' mff chnn Cocktails. MARQJJFIIT: MipiywjiDinni. Marquette Avenue at IDS Center Minneapolis, MN 55402 812-332-2351 otv entertainment Youth Proaram II i lis i iff rz. Airport Convention Facilities tor up to 350 (218) 829-2811 Box 387D, Brainerd, Mn. 56401 FISH FOR 'EM ALL uoii Tennis Clut in Mid-Minnesota May 8-10, 1981 Tan-Tar-A's Mother's Day Escape Just $114.00 per person for luxury room, feasting, and FREE RUN of Tan-Tar-Afs fabulous recreation activities.

Spedal 3-5-7 day family package New Tennis Complex (S Courts) Walleye Muskie Bass Dekious Food Movies, Dances. Bingo Modified snd American Plan OotT Course on Grounds Healed Swimming Pool a Finnish Saunas a Beautiful Beach Cookouts Northern Pike Trout a Sauger Crappie a Sunfish Bluegill Catfish 4 far- ChBdrtn's Supervised Program a Water Skiing, Sag Boats, a Family ot Couple Cottage THIS REMARKABLE VALUE IS CERTAIN TO PROVIDE A VERY, VERY SPECIAL WEEKEND FOR MOM. ALSO, ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER FOR GRAND- WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, FALL WE'VE QOT'EM ALL Hundreds of housekeeping cottages and American Plan motels ramnnrntinrta nraat Flsnlng. Canoes a Miin Lodge Rooms wurrc pom colorful brochure DM BOOS, GRAND VIEW LODGE 3940 W. 49V Edina, MN 55424 612-925-3109 13 w.

istai isiiiauiaiiia, lilig o( State forests, professional guide services, interesting stores, and boat rentals. Amusements, historic sites museums for family fun. All within easy reach bv car Qaniihli Airl.naa -a a. fft 1 MOTHERS. Our Mother's Day Escape includes accommodations for two nights, dinner Friday evening, breakfast Saturday, dinner-dance with live orchestra Saturday evening, and breakfast Sunday.

At no extra charge, we are offering open vKuu.iV nu mi nifinan aiiw Uieyuuu'fU DUB. far Free Information Prom AIM Of Our ChamberaTf Conimeroe" CrosslaKe, Crosby. C3arrison, Hwy. 6, Nisswa, Emily, Oeerwood Pine River, Brainerd. Pequot Lakes.

Lakes (Merrifield). Staples' Rwort Osage Beach, MO Name: Address. City: -State: -Zip: recreation. Make your plans for Mom today. Call for further details.

314348-3131 or toll free 800 228-9290. today. Call for further details. i 'Xtf 1 JC Tl VV-'-7 Campground information American Plan resort inlormatioh BUDGET VACATION from 1 19.00 per pari. (clbl.

axe) ao DISCOUNT IffOII June 7 (txceot Memorial Weekend) 4 days A 3 nights, Sunday arr. Includes dinner on arr. day, breakfast on dep. day, 2 meals each full day. Golf, tennis swimming pool Housekeeping Cottage info My vacation days are SJNDJO: OUTEJ8tB0262JiRAINRD, MN.

56401 incl. it Km fro FAP tor business meetings. Dept D. Breezy Point, MN 56472 (Zto) 562 7811 a ill i If you lose something, let Uanf Ads VJill help you find it quickly. Call 284-8141 todayl tfn nti ri nl Air-.